Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa says the PDP is not playing its
expected role as an opposition party due to numerous internal crises
within it.
Mr. Dickson, who made the claim during a chat with journalists in
Yenagoa, however, said he remained optimistic that the party would
bounce back to winning ways ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The governor, who headed the PDP reconciliation committee, said there
were internal forces within the party that were working against the
emergence of a cohesive and strong PDP.
“I have invested enormous efforts in rebuilding the PDP and the work of rebuilding hasn’t been successful.
“PDP has a lot of work to do to become a formidable opposition party
and I think that most PDP leaders lack the experience of opposition.
“But I remain optimistic. I pray the party overcomes its internal
challenges, and I have been very prayerful because Nigeria needs a
strong PDP as the country has seen the failure of the APC.
“Nigeria needs PDP, and I remain hopeful that the party survives,” Dickson said.
He said that he remained resolute in his call for the restructuring
of the country adding that his call was borne out of patriotism and
quest for fiscal federalism.
“The Niger Delta people love Nigeria and have sacrificed to support
the economic base of Nigeria. My support for restructuring is for the
overall interest of our people. We love Nigeria and will want a better
deal in a truly federal structure.
“There is an urgent need to have an all embracing discussion to
strengthen our unity and take decisions on the terms of the federation,”
he said.
The governor applauded the state Ministry of Health for containing
the spread of monkeypox disease, which broke out in the state four weeks
ago.
He urged the people to continue to maintain high level of personal hygiene and remain vigilant.
(NAN)